• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was intended to recognize the importance of quality control (QC) in order to reduce exposure and improve image quality by comparing the center-point (CP) of according to hospital grade and the difference between X-ray field (XF) and light field (LF) in diagnostic digital X-ray devices. XF and LF size, CP were measured in 12 digital X-ray devices at 10 hospitals located in 00 metropolitan cities. Phantom was made in different width respectively, using 0.8 mm wire after attaching to the standardized graph paper on transparent plastic plate and marked as cross wire in the center of the phantom. After placing the phantom on the table of the digital X-ray device, the images were obtained by shooting it vertically each field of survey. All images were acquired under the same conditions of exposure at distance of 100cm between the focus-detector. XF and LF size, CP error were measured using the picture archiving communication system. data were expressed as mean with standard error and then analyzed using SPSS ver. 22.0. The difference in field between the XF and LF size was the smallest in clinic, followed by university hospitals, hospitals and general hospitals. Based on the university hospitals with the least CP error, there was a statistically significant difference in CP error between university hospitals and clinics (p=0.024). Group less than 36-month after QC had fewer statistical errors than 36-month group (0.26 vs. 0.88, p=0.036). The difference between the XF and LF size was the lowest in clinic and CP error was the lowest in university hospital. Moreover, hospitals with short period of time after QC have fewer CP error and it means that introduction of timely QC according to the QC items is essential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2018

To evaluate the effect of patient size on effective dose and image quality for Digital Chest Tomosynthesis(DTS) using additional 0.3 mm copper filtration. Eighty artificial nodules were placed in the thorax phantom("Lungman," Kyoto Kagaku, Japan), and Digital Chest Tomosynthesis(DTS) images of the phantom were acquired both with and without added 0.3 mm Cu filtration. To simulate patients of three sizes: small, average size and oversize, one or two 20-mm-thick layer of PMMA(polymethyl methacrylatek) blocks were placed on the phantom. The Effective dose was calculated using Monte Carlo simulations. Two evaluations of image quality methods have been employed. Three readers counted the number of nodules detected in the lung, and the measured contrast-to-noise ratios(CNRs) were used. Data were analyzed statistically. The ED reduced $26{\mu}Sv$ in a phantom, $33{\mu}Sv$ in one 20-mm-thick layer of PMMA block placed on the phantom, and $48{\mu}Sv$ in two 20-mm-thick layer of PMMA blocks placed on the phantom. The Effective dose(ED) differences between DTS with and without filtration were significant(p<0.05). In particular, when we used two 20-mm-thick layer of PMMA blocks placed on the phantom, the ED was significantly reduced by 36% compared with those without additional filtration. Nodule detection sensitivities were not different between with and without added filtration. Differences of CNRs were statistically insignificant(p>0.05). Use of additional filtration allows a considerable dose reduction during Digital Chest Tomosynthesis(DTS) without loss of image quality. In particular, additional filtration showed outstanding result for effective dose reduction on two 20-mm-thick layer of PMMA blocks placed on the phantom. It applies to overweight patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.563-575
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the activation characteristics that occur in a linear accelerator for container security inspection. In the computer simulation design, first, the targets consisted of a tungsten (Z=74) single material target and a tungsten (Z=74) and copper (Z=29) composite target. Second, the fan beam collimator was composed of a single material of lead (Z=82) and a composite material of tungsten (Z-74) and lead (Z=82) depending on the material. Final, the concrete in the room where the linear accelerator was located contained magnetite type and impurities. In the research method, first, the optical neutron flux was calculated using the MCNP6 code as a F4 Tally for the linear accelerator and structure. Second, the photoneutron flux calculated from the MCNP6 code was applied to FISPACT-II to evaluate the activation product. Final, the decommissioning evaluation was conducted through the specific activity of the activation product. As a result, first, it was the most common in photoneutron targets, followed by a collimator and a concrete 10 cm deep. Second, activation products were produced as by-products of W-181 in tungsten targets and collimator, and Co-60, Ni-63, Cs-134, Eu-152, Eu-154 nuclides in impurity-containing concrete. Final, it was found that the tungsten target satisfies the permissible concentration for self-disposal after 90 days upon decommissioning. These results could be confirmed that the photoneutron yield and degree of activation at 9 MeV energy were insignificant. However, it is thought that W-181 generated from the tungsten target and collimator of the linear accelerator may affect the exposure when disassembled for repair. Therefore, this study presents basic data on the management of activated parts of a linear accelerator for container security inspection. In addition, When decommissioning the linear accelerator for container security inspection, it is expected that it can be used to prove the standard that permissible concentration of self-disposal.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.603-612
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• 2020

This study has a purpose to look into the effect of the relationship between the Tube current (mA) and SOD(Source to Object Distance), which is a parameter of lower limb angiography examination, and the dilution rate of the contrast medium concentration (300, 320, 350) on the image. To that end, using 3 mm vessel model water phantom, a vessel model custom made in the size of peripheral vessel diameter, this study measured relationships between change of parameters, such as tube current (mA), SOD and varying concentrations (300, 320, 350) of contrast medium dilution into SNR and CNR values while analyzing the coefficients of variance(cv<10). The software used to measure SNR and CNR values was Image J 1.50i from NIH (National Institutes of Health, USA). MPV (mean pixel value) and SD (standard deviation) were used after verifying numerically the image signal for region of interest (ROI) and background on phantom from the DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine) 3.0 file transmitted to PACS. As to contrast medium dilution by the change of tube current, when 146 mA and 102 mA were compared, For both SNR and CNR, the coefficient of variation value was less than 10 until the section of CM: N/S dilution (100% ~ 30% : 70%) but CM: N/S dilution rate (20%: 80% ~ 10% : 90%) the coefficient of variation was 10 or more. As to contrast medium dilution by concentration for SOD change, when SOD's (32.5 cm and 22.5 cm) were compared,For both SNR and CNR, the coefficient of variation value was less than 10 until the section of CM: N/S dilution (100% ~ 30% : 70%) but CM: N/S dilution rate (20%: 80% ~ 10% : 90%) the coefficient of variation was 10 or more. As to contrast medium dilution by concentration for SOD change, when SOD's (32.5 cm and 12.5 cm) were compared,For both SNR and CNR, the coefficient of variation value was less than 10 until the section of CM: N/S dilution (100% ~ 30% : 70%) but CM: N/S dilution rate (20%: 80% ~ 10% : 90%) the coefficient of variation was 10 or more. As a result, set a low tube current value in other tests or procedures including peripheral angiography of the lower extremities in the intervention, and make the table as close as possible to the image receiver, and adjust the contrast agent concentration (300) to CM: N/S dilution (30%: 70%). ) Is suggested as the most efficient way to obtain images with an appropriate concentration while simultaneously reducing the burden on the kidney and the burden on exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2017

Measurement of bone marrow measurements may occur if bone marrow examination performed with bone marrow examination (bone marrow examination) and bone density (bone scan) are performed together recently. Thus, it was examined in clinical aspects that $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ compounds were affected by bone mineral density measurements. The average age of the participants in the experiment was $35.17{\pm}9.45$ and the patient fractures of the lumbar vertebrae that could affect the metabolic disease and bone density measurements affecting the metabolic disease of the 17 subjects. 6 patients with normal bone mineral density T-scores>-1.0 in 12 patients were analyzed before and after the administration of $^{99m}Tc-MDP$. In the lumbar spine, the average of $0.975{\pm}0.084g/cm^2$ and $0.966{\pm}0.078g/cm^2$ were increased by $0.009g/cm^2$. respectively In the right proximal femur, mean values were $0.909{\pm}0.078g/cm^2$ and $0.913{\pm}0.086g/cm^2$. In the right proximal thigh, mean values were $0.909{\pm}0.078g/cm^2$ and $0.913{\pm}0.08 g/cm^2$, respectively, which decreased by $0.004g/cm^2$. In the left side proximal femur, mean $0.887{\pm}0.099g/cm^2$ and $0.881{\pm}0.103g/cm^2$, respectively, increased by $0.007g/cm^2$. Therefore, the BMD changes in the lumbar region were larger than that in the proximal thigh. In addition, $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ did not affect the BMD. And a bone scan test using a technetium-labeled compound emitting a gamma-ray energy of 140 keV did not significantly affect bone density measurements. However, if the nuclear medical examination and the osteoporosis test are to be performed together, the examination should be carried out at intervals considering the exposures of the patient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting picture quality in Roadmap images, which were studied by varying the dilution rate, collimation field and flow rate of contrast medium. For a quantitative evaluation of the quality of the picture, a 3mm vessel model Water Phantom was self-produced using acrylic, a roadmap image was acquired with a self-produced vascular model Water Phantom, and the SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) and CNR (Contrast to Noise Ratio) were analyzed. CM:N/S In the study on the change of dilution rate, CM:N/S dilution rate changed to (100%~10%:100%), and the measurement of the roadmap image taken using the vascular model Water Phantom showed that the measurement value of SNR gradually decreased as the N/S dilution rate was increased, and the measurement of CNR was gradually reduced. It was confirmed that the higher the dilution rate of CM:N/S, the lower the SNR and CNR, and also significant image can be obtained at the dilution rate of CM:N/S (100%~70:30%). The study showed the value of SNR and CNR in Roadmap image was increased as the Collimation Field was narrowed to the center of the vascular phantom; the Collimation Field was narrowed to the center of the vessel model by 2cm intervals to 0cm through 12cm. To verify the relationship with Roadmap image and Flow Rate, volume of the autoinjector was kept constant at 15 and the flow rate was gradually increased 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. The value of SNR and CNR of images taken by using water Phantom gradually decreased as the Flow Rate increased, but at Flow Rate 9 and 10, the SNR and CNR value was increase. It was not possible to confirm the relationship with SNR and CNR by ROI mean value and Background mean value. It is considered that further study is needed to evaluate the correlation about Roadmap image and Flow Rate. In conclusion, as the dilution rate of N/S in contrast medium was increased, the value of SNR and CNR was decreased. The narrower the Collimation Field, the higher image quality by increasing value of SNR and CNR. However, it is not confirmed the relationship Roadmap image and Flow Rate. It is considered that appropriate contrast medium concentration to minimize the effects of kidney and proper Collimation Field to improve contrast of image and reduce exposure X-ray during procedure is needed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.336-343
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• 2010

Coronary artery CT angiography has short scanning length, the exposure dose is high. Therefore, it is required to study on the organ dose when using MDCT. We compared the differences between the absorbed dose and effective dose in the major organs assessing the absorbed dose in the major organs by 16-MDCT and 64-MDCT in the subjects with coronary artery CT angiography, the same protocol by 16-MDCT and 64-MDCT. As a result, the great orders of absorbed dose when conducting coronary artery CT angiography had been shown as heart, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, spleen, large intestine, lung, small intestine, thyroid gland, ovary, bladder, and orbit with the absorbed dose distribution of $0.538{\pm}0.026(Mean{\pm}SD,\;p<0.05)mGy{\sim}71.316{\pm}4.316mGy$ in 16-MDCT, and heart, stomach, pancreas, spleen, liver, kidney, small intestine, large intestine, lung, thyroid gland, ovary, bladder, and orbit with the absorbed dose distribution of $0.87{\pm}0.01mGy{\sim}115.26{\pm}1.59mGy$ in 64-MDCT, demonstrating some different distributions. The exposed doses to the patient per one time scanning with coronary artery CT angiography were $71.316{\pm}4.316mGy$ in 16-MDCT as the absorbed dose based on the heart and $115.26{\pm}1.59mGy$ in 64-MDCT. The effective doses were 7.41 mSv and 12.11 mSv in 16 and 64-MDCT, respectively. Taking into account the results of brain CT with 2.8 mSv that has comparatively large scanning length and size, facial CT 0.8 mSv, chest CT 5.7 mSv, pelvic CT 7.2 mSv, and abdominal and pelvic CT 14.4 mSv, it is very high considering the scanning length of 13 cm limited to the heart for the scanning range.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.252-260
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• 2015

This paper describes the technical background for the Korean wildlife radiation dose assessment code, K-BIOTA, and the summary of its application. The K-BIOTA applies the graded approaches of 3 levels including the screening assessment (Level 1 & 2), and the detailed assessment based on the site specific data (Level 3). The screening level assessment is a preliminary step to determine whether the detailed assessment is needed, and calculates the dose rate for the grouped organisms, rather than an individual biota. In the Level 1 assessment, the risk quotient (RQ) is calculated by comparing the actual media concentration with the environmental media concentration limit (EMCL) derived from a bench-mark screening reference dose rate. If RQ for the Level 1 assessment is less than 1, it can be determined that the ecosystem would maintain its integrity, and the assessment is terminated. If the RQ is greater than 1, the Level 2 assessment, which calculates RQ using the average value of the concentration ratio (CR) and equilibrium distribution coefficient (Kd) for the grouped organisms, is carried out for the more realistic assessment. Thus, the Level 2 assessment is less conservative than the Level 1 assessment. If RQ for the Level 2 assessment is less than 1, it can be determined that the ecosystem would maintain its integrity, and the assessment is terminated. If the RQ is greater than 1, the Level 3 assessment is performed for the detailed assessment. In the Level 3 assessment, the radiation dose for the representative organism of a site is calculated by using the site specific data of occupancy factor, CR and Kd. In addition, the K-BIOTA allows the uncertainty analysis of the dose rate on CR, Kd and environmental medium concentration among input parameters optionally in the Level 3 assessment. The four probability density functions of normal, lognormal, uniform and exponential distribution can be applied.The applicability of the code was tested through the participation of IAEA EMRAS II (Environmental Modeling for Radiation Safety) for the comparison study of environmental models comparison, and as the result, it was proved that the K-BIOTA would be very useful to assess the radiation risk of the wildlife living in the various contaminated environment.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

Purpose: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness of ultrasound-guided medial branch block (MBB) for the herniated lumbar disc patients who did not relieve their symptoms after percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN). Materials and Methods: From August 2011 to February 2013, 559 patients with herniated lumbar disc have undergone PEN. Among them, ultrasound-guided MBBs were performed for the patients who had sustained low back pain and refered pain to lower extremities. Eighty eight patients were followed at 1 month and 39 patients could be followed at 6 month. All procedures have been performed by the one operator, and 23 G, 10 cm needle was placed and 0.5% lidocaine was injected under ultrasound guide. To target medial branches from L1 to L5, the groove at the root of transverse process and the base of superior articular process has been identified on transverse scan. Patients were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at each follow-up. Significant pain relief was described as a 50% or more reduction in VAS and significant improvement in function was described as at least a 40% reduction in ODI. Results: VAS showed that preprocedure pain ($7.35{\pm}1.68$; $mean{\pm}SD$) significantly decreased 1 month after block ($3.36{\pm}2.98$) and 6 month ($3.05{\pm}2.27$) (p<0.05). ODI also showed that preprocedure score ($32.82{\pm}8.77$) significantly decreased at 1 month ($15.14{\pm}14.01$) and 6 month ($12.97{\pm}8.82$) (p<0.05). Significant pain relief was observed in 64.49% at 1 month and 64.10% at 6 month. Significant functional improvement in 59.81% at 1 month and 61.54% at 6 month. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided medial branch block may sufficiently treat the facet problems secondary from disc disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2021

This study is a study on the difference in dose according to the presence or absence of gonadal shielding of scattered rays generated during chest computed tomography examination, and the scattered dose of the examination site was measured by placing the RadEye G-10 device in the center of the phantom. When the gonads are not shielded, the scattering lines of the whole, both sides, posterior and gonads are measured and Xenolite nolead Apron (0.35 mm PB), Xenolite nolead Apron (front 0.35 mm PB Mix back 0.25 mm PB, Skirt overlap), Half Apron After shielding with (0.5 mm PB), each scattered dose was measured. During chest computed tomography, the scattered dose of the test site was measured at 272 μSv, and when not shielded with Apron, the average total was 43 μSv, left 81 μSv, right part 82 μSv, posterior part 38.8 μSv, and Gonad part 16 μSv. Became. Xenolite nolead Apron shielded only the upper part and measured all 11.2 μSv, left part 43.1 μSv, right part 45.3 μSv, posterior part 12 μSv and Gonad part 5.2 μSv. Xenolite nolead Apron (Skirt overlap) covered the Pelvis area 360° and the dose was measured to be 5.6 μSv in the whole, 22.4 μSv in the left, 15.7 μSv in the right side, 6 μSv in the posterior part, and 3.2 μSv in the Gonad part. Xenolite nolead Apron (Skirt overlap) covered the Pelvis area 360° and the dose was measured to be 5.6 μSv in the whole, 22.4 μSv in the left, 15.7 μSv in the right side, 6 μSv in the posterior part, and 3.2 μSv in the Gonad part. When measuring only the upper part with Half Apron, the total measurement was 10.7 μSv, the left part 42.6 μSv, the right part 40.6 μSv, the posterior part 11.3 μSv, and the Gonad part 4.7 μSv. The method of 360° shielding of the pelvic area showed a dose reduction of more than 80%, and a dose reduction effect of more than 70% was shown when all shielding was performed. In all computerized tomography examinations, research to reduce the exposure dose and various shielding devices were used. It is believed that continuous research on the technique is needed.